Object of the game is to clear tiles from the stacks to reach the lowest point.
Description of the board:
The Board is a grid of tiles that are face down with the exception of the top most tile. These stacks are made randomly. Each time a tile is “mined” the next tile is then turned face up.
Tiles represent different material you are mining.
Two different tile types (surface and subterranean)
Surface tiles mostly easy to mine by hand
Subterranean tiles mostly need pickaxe or dynamite, also chance of monster attack if no torch.
Ridge along outside for Tree tiles
Board size large enough to have space to move without having to be near other players. Isolation limits resource though.
Mechanics:
Some tiles can not be mined by hand and require tools
Tools are build using materials mined.
Tools have limited use and so must be used sparingly
You can also make weapons to attack opponents/monster
some tools can be used to attack opponents indirectly (dynamite pushed players away from source)
Other tools:
Ladder: climb up and down large elevations (normally players can only move up or downs a few elevations at a time).
Torch: avoids chance of monster in lower levels.
Tile Types:
Surface Resources:
Dirt (no crafting purpose; can be used to fill in hole or raise player’s elevation)
Stone ( requires more actions to mine by hand; basic tool resource; can make pickaxe and sword but they don’t last long)
Coal (makes torches)
Water (can not be mined without a bucket)
Trees (only appear on ridge and slowly replenish)
Subterranean Resources:
Stone (replaces dirt in frequency)
Coal (less common)
Iron (requires tools to mine; can make stronger tools)
Diamond (rare; possibly worth points; also makes best tools)
Lava (rare; kills player unless he has bucket with water; can not mine under until bucket/water; becomes stone)
Tools:
Pickaxe (stone, iron, diamond + wood)
Sword (stone, iron, diamond x2 + wood)
Ladder (Wood x 2)
Torch (wood + coal)
Dynamite ( torch + ???; kill players and destroys tiles around and under it)
Bucket (iron x 2)
Dice:
Roll dice in subterranean for chance of monster if no torch
Monster can also just be killed with sword
roll dice to determine how many actions you take on turn (three 1’s, two 2’s, one 3)
Resting one turn increases the number of dice you roll